Welcome to the Rohrer College of Business! | | |
Dean's Message
This has been a remarkable year for the Rohrer College of Business. Together, we reached new milestones in student success, philanthropy, partnerships, research, and national recognition. These achievements reflect the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters. We are deeply grateful for the community that continues to believe in our mission and invest in our future.
At the same time, we know our best days are still ahead. As Rowan University moves toward becoming an R1 research institution, the Rohrer College of Business is helping shape that future. We are expanding our impact through innovative programs, meaningful scholarship, and strong industry engagement. We remain ambitious in our goals and grounded in our purpose: preparing the next generation of business leaders while creating lasting value for our region and beyond.
Thank you for your support!
Best,
Matt Sarkees, Ph.D.
Dean, Rohrer College of Business
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Record momentum in the Rohrer College of Business
The Rohrer College of Business (RCB) at Rowan University has experienced remarkable momentum, expanding programs, increasing enrollment, strengthening employer partnerships, and creating powerful experiential learning opportunities for students.
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A College on the Rise
Today the college continues to attract record numbers of students, including its largest incoming first-year class, reflecting the growing demand for business programs that blend academic rigor with real-world experience. At the same time, the outcomes speak for themselves: 96% of RCB 2025 graduates secured employment or continued their education after graduation.
Learning That Extends Beyond the Classroom
Experiential learning is a defining feature of the RCB experience. Students work on real-world projects, participate in competitions, and collaborate with industry partners through hands-on coursework.
"Working on real projects changed everything for me," said MacK Reilly '26. "You're not just learning theory, you're presenting ideas to organizations and seeing how your work can actually make an impact."
Embracing AI and Technology
RCB is introducing a Business Technology Foundations course in fall 2026, required for all incoming first-year students. Designed to build essential digital fluency from day one, the course emphasizes critical Excel skills, introduces students to the applications and implications of AI, and explores the key technological issues shaping the future of business.
| | Rowan University Announces $10M Gift to Create School of Financial Planning within RCB | | |
Rowan University announced a landmark $10 million commitment by Edelman Financial Engines (EFE) to establish the School of Financial Planning. Designed to address the nation’s increasing shortage of qualified financial planning professionals, the new school will be distinguished by curriculum at undergraduate and graduate levels. Rohrer College of Business Executive-in-Residence and University Distinguished Lecturer Ric Edelman will serve as founding head of the school.
The School of Financial Planning will be created within William G. Rohrer College of Business as part of the accredited business education program.
“Financial education is a logical and important part of our public service mission as a state research institution—to educate people and equip them to contribute to their communities and professions,” Rowan University President Ali Houshmand said. “Having Edelman Financial Engines as our lead partner and Ric Edelman heading the school allows us to develop a world-class program, enabling us to start delivering education far more quickly and efficiently than otherwise possible, thanks to their decades of experience and depth of expertise.”
“Today, there are more certified financial planners over age 70 than under age 30. And 38 percent of financial advisors will themselves retire within the next decade,” Ric Edelman said. “In fact, McKinsey research says we’ll soon have 100,000 fewer advisors than we need to meet the needs of American families. This adds up to a big challenge in the financial services industry’s ability to meet the needs of American families.”
Yet fewer than 200 U.S. colleges offer financial planning degrees—compared with nearly 1,500 that offer business degrees.
| From Insight to Impact: Research Driving Innovation at RCB | | |
AI-Assisted Accounting
Tony Lin
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Tony Lin, an assistant professor in the Rohrer College of Business, studies how AI can transform accounting, sustainability and business. He explains that generative AI predicts what comes next, a skill well‑suited to accounting’s evidence‑based storytelling. With quality data, AI can answer core performance questions. Lin also explores agentic AI, which can complete multistep tasks independently. His research informs curriculum that prepares students for an AI‑driven business world and the meaningful careers they seek.
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Improving Business Leadership Through Research
Elly Qu
| For Elly Qu, an associate professor of management in the Rohrer College of Business, leadership is inseparable from ethics. Her research examines how leaders’ values shape trust, performance and workplace experiences, including issues like financial insecurity, emotions and creativity. Qu, who holds a Ph.D. in organizational behavior, has published widely in top journals. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, using her scholarship to help students understand how ethical leadership drives stronger, more effective organizations. | | | |
How Technology Could Prevent Future Supply Chain Disruptions
Saravanan Kuppusamy
| During the COVID‑19 pandemic, supply chains faced major disruptions. A study by Dr. Saravanan Kuppusamy of Rowan University examines how cargo transportation can become more resilient and sustainable. Using advanced data analysis, the research shows how digital tools like analytics and AI help companies understand risks, spot patterns in delays and environmental impacts, and respond faster. As global trade grows and disruptions persist, the study highlights the need for digital innovation to build stronger, more sustainable supply chains. | | | |
Do Hashtags Make Information More Trustworthy?
Shuang Wu
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Hashtags are everywhere on social media, but they may do more than organize content. A study by Dr. Shuang Wu and colleagues shows that hashtags can shape how credible Instagram posts appear. Users often rely on quick technological cues rather than evaluating information deeply, and hashtags function as one of these signals. Because they’re widely used by influencers, brands, and organizations, hashtags subtly guide how people judge reliability, revealing how small design features influence online perception.
| | | Clockwise: Dr. Rafael Schwalb, Dr. Ekatrina Potemkina, Dr. Gavin Williamson, and Dr. David Park | | |
RCB Welcomes Four New Faculty
The Rohrer College of Business is proud to welcome four outstanding new faculty members who bring a wealth of expertise and energy to our academic community. These scholars are expanding the College’s strengths across entrepreneurship, strategy, finance, and economics, and we are thrilled to have them on board as we begin a new academic year.
Dr. Myeongho David Park joins us from Oklahoma State University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship. His research explores how institutional environments shape stakeholder relationships in startups, and how human capital strategies drive outcomes beyond financial performance. Dr. Park recently published an article in Journal of Business Venturing Insights on the curvilinear effects of employee orientation on new venture performance.
Dr. Ekaterina Potemkina earned her Ph.D. in Finance from Cornell University. Her expertise will strengthen our finance curriculum, and her research interests span asset pricing, behavioral finance, and financial markets. Dr. Potemkina is passionate about connecting theory with real-world application and preparing students for careers in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Dr. Rafael Schwalb brings a strong foundation in economic theory and quantitative methods, having completed his Ph.D. in Economics at Princeton University. His academic interests include international finance, banking, and macroeconomics. Dr. Schwalb’s work will support data-driven decision-making across disciplines and contribute to our growing emphasis on business analytics.
Dr. Gavin Williamson earned his Ph.D. in Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Organizations from the University of Tennessee. His research centers on entrepreneurial careers and startup employment, with recent publications in Academy of Management Journal and Journal of Business Venturing Insights. Dr. Williamson's work bridges strategy, entrepreneurship, and organizational behavior, offering students and scholars new ways to think about careers in the startup economy.
| | Spotlight on Student Success: Innovation, Leadership, and Culture | | |
Rohrer New Venture Competition & Expo recognizes winning teams with over $55K in prizes
On April 17, RCIE hosted 50 teams in Business Hall, with 90 judges selecting Cadence Creative Studios as the Expo’s first‑place winner, earning part of $7,000 in awards. The competition then moved to Boyd Hall, where five finalists vied for $50,000. First‑year student Maya Hagan won with SereinSpritz, a hydrating, skin‑safe hand sanitizer, impressing judges with strong preparation and market potential.
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Rowan AMA Launches Inaugural Regional Conference
Rowan University’s American Marketing Association hosted its first Regional Marketing Conference, uniting students, faculty, and professionals from more than six universities across the Philadelphia region. Led by student organizers Sierra Dubuisson and Bar Leshed, the event featured keynote speakers from FIFA World Cup Philadelphia 2026 and the Philadelphia Eagles, plus a Rowan AMA alumni panel. Attendees joined a Saxbys case competition and enjoyed activations, giveaways, and branded experiences from partners including Red Bull, Depop, Verona, L’Oréal, Grillo’s Pickles, and Graza.
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From Kyrgyzstan to Campus: A Landmark Nooruz Celebration
On March 13, Business Hall became a vibrant celebration of Kyrgyz culture as more than 100 students brought Nooruz to campus. A traditional yurt—erected for the first time at Rowan—served as a powerful symbol of heritage and identity. Nearly 200 attendees, including President Ali Houshmand and representatives from regional universities, joined the event. Organized by the Kyrgyz Student Association, the celebration marked months of collaboration and offered a meaningful connection to home for many students.
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Built on Discipline: Finance Major turns Preparation into Opportunity
Armando Santana doesn’t ease into his days. He seizes them—starting at 5 a.m.
By the time most of campus is waking up, Santana has already worked out, read, checked the markets and planned ahead. That discipline—built over years as a student-athlete, coach, finance major and emerging sales professional—has shaped his Rowan University experience and now propels him toward his next chapter.
On May 13, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance. A four-year player on the men’s soccer team, Santana will begin his professional career this June as an associate district manager at ADP.
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201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
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